SAFFORD — Volunteers taking part in Gila Watershed Partnership’s next First Friday event will go on a field trip to restoration sites along the Gila River.
“This time they’re going to go out and they’re going to help plant some plants that are part of one of our big grants. So that will help us with grant deliverables,” said Dr. Sarah Sayles, executive director for Gila Watershed Partnership.
“As always, we always try to tell people this, all of those hours are important toward the matching funds for the grant,” she continued. “So if you can come and help us on Friday, you are providing our organization with over $30 an hour worth of time that matches this grant that we’re using to put the plants in.”
The First Friday Volunteer Event and Social will take place Friday, Oct. 3. Volunteers will meet at the Gila Native Plants Nursery at Discovery Park Campus of EAC at 7 a.m. for a ride out to the site, with a return time of 11 a.m. A light breakfast will be provided.
RSVP to info@gwpaz.org. Seats in the van are limited, participants may also caravan in their own vehicles; however, four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.
Friday also marks the start of the annual Fall Native Plant Sale.
Sales will take place online, with pickup on Friday’s at the GWP nursery.
On Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, there will be an in-person event to wrap the month’s sales, with “creepy critters” for children to see and learn about their impact to the local environment.
And any parent or guardian who brings a child in costume for Halloween will receive a discount on any plants purchased those two days.
Go to GWPAz.org to see the native plants available for purchase.
